France To Pay To Remove Breast Implants Made Of Silicone “For Mattresses”

Interesting and scary story out of France.  A breast implant manufacturer, Poly Implant Prosthese, has been accused of using non-medical silicone (made “for mattresses”) in their breast implants.  Approximately 30,000 women in France have these implants, which have an unacceptably high rupture rate.  According to an article in CNN.com:

– The French Health ministry is concerned over a possible cancer link

– About 30,000 French women have implants made by PIP

– PIP implants are not approved for use in the United States

– British officials advise women concerned about implants to talk to their doctor

This shows the importance of the FDA regulatory process, as long and drawn-out as it may sometimes be.  PIP saline implants were rejected by the FDA in 2000, a very appropriate move.  If you are in the United States, make sure your breast implants are made by either Mentor or Allergan.  A new implant, The Ideal Implant, may be on the horizon, but isn’t FDA approved… yet.

To read the CNN.com article, click HERE.